A kindergarten teacher entertains her students with nonsense words.
Children's LiteratureThe kindergarten class taught by Mrs. Millie has a wonderful time every day. Their teacher is forever teasing them by using the wrong words in her directions. Mrs. Millie leads the class at the start of the day in the "frog" salute. After recess is over she asks the boys and girls to "chameleon" from the playground. At story time everyone is to gather and sit on the "bug." When the day is over, Mrs. Millie bids them all "butterfly." The children gleefully and boisterously correct her errors and tell her not to be so silly. Children will love this book for its bold slapstick humor and for the way the class is able to correct the teacher's mistakes. Adding greatly to the fun are the bold, bright illustrations. Mrs. Millie looks as zany as she sounds with her bushy red hair, purple and white plaid sneakers, bright pink slacks, and yellow flowered jacket. It is very apparent that the author relates extremely well to her own kindergartners. 2005, Marshall Cavendish, Ages 4 to 8.
School Library JournalPreS-Gr 2-Silly Mrs. Millie delights her kindergarteners with such humorous phrases as "Don't forget your lunch bunny," "don't cut in the lion," and "hang up your goats," which they rush to correct. Cox's simplistic wordplay successfully sets the stage for Mathieu's vibrant, full-spread illustrations. When gorilla cheese sandwiches are offered, Mathieu's energetic drawing shows a disconcerted primate stuck between two sticky slices of bread. Moreover, the artist's lively and imaginative cartoons aid in understanding the sometimes slightly forced text. When Mrs. Millie wants the class to come in after recess, she yells, "It's time to chameleon," and the students are portrayed running alongside lizards, with each one cleverly reflecting the clothing of the nearest child. The repetitiveness and frequent rhyming of Mrs. Millie's obvious substitutions make this story an appealing read-aloud.-Erin Senig, Bronxville Public Library, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus ReviewsIn a classroom setting, the harmless fun begins with the kindergartner's teacher teasing her class by telling them to hang up their "goats," do the "frog salute," and get out their paper and "penguins." The children in Mrs. Millie's kindergarten class, after the initial surprise, reply in unison with the refrain, "Don't be silly, Mrs. Millie! You mean . . . " Full of giggles and guffaws, the children delight in the mental picture of the literal image in colored pencil, ink, and color wash which is equally as bright and absurd as the textual tease, but visually and verbally, Cox and Mathieu don't go beyond average. The verbal errors, though they provide an opportunity for the children to correct them, are a simple fun game for a limited age range, whether it's poodles or puddles, weasels or easels, quackers or crackers. Mrs. Millie's sillies will elicit snickers and participation, once through, but no more than that. (Picture book. 4-5)
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Don't Be Silly, Mrs. Millie! based on 0 ratings. 2 reviews.
The 'play on words' in this book made my grandsons, age 3 and 5, laugh out loud. They would say the funny phrases and then laugh at themselves. Repeated readings had them finishing the sentences and finding them still extremely funny. Then their laughing would make me laugh and we had a grand time. Definitely a great book to read out loud to grandchildren. Terrific illustrations too.